After months of heated debates, fan complaints, and endless discussions across social media, the new Resident Evil movie has finally arrived - and I can wholeheartedly say that, in my opinion, most Resident Evil fans are going to leave this feeling very pleased.
One of the biggest criticisms surrounding the previous Resident Evil adaptations is that, while they borrowed the name, characters, creatures, and imagery from the games, they often struggled to capture what actually made the franchise so distinctive. The earlier films, particularly the Paul W. S. Anderson series, leaned heavily into action, spectacle, and increasingly over-the-top set pieces, which left many fans feeling that the survival-horror identity of Resident Evil had been pushed to the side-lines. The appeal isn't simply about shooting zombies or fighting increasingly ridiculous monsters - it's about feeling vulnerable, managing limited resources, navigating environments that feel unsafe, and constantly wondering what could be waiting around the next corner.
Thankfully, this is where Zack Cregger's approach feels so refreshing. Yes. There's no Leon Kennedy. Yes. it doesn't take place in the rain. And yes, it doesn't take place in 1998. Rather then attempting to recreate one of the games beat-for-beat, Cregger takes the foundations of Resident Evil and uses them to tell a completely original story set within the universe of the games.
The plot itself is deceptively simple, our protagonist has to get from Point A to Point B while surviving and overcoming the countless horrors standing in his way. Along the journey, he's forced to scavenge for weapons, find ammunition, track down missing keys, and make use of whatever resources he can get his hands on - as well as constantly moving through different environments and set pieces where something terrifying awaits his arrival. Whether it's a creepy pitch-black tunnel, a grimy sewer, we already know that a monster encounter is about to occur - yet the suspense is absolutely nerve-racking due to the not knowing WHAT monster is going to appear, WHEN it's going to strike, or exactly HOW the movie is going to catch you off guard. The excellent use of unpredictability made for some very effective jump scares scattered all throughout the story - which comes to show that the true essence of fear doesn't just stem from walking into danger, but by simply not being sure what form that danger is going to take.
However, the one aspect of this movie that I can almost guarantee will have Resident Evil fans divided on is the ending. You’re either going to absolutely love what Zack Cregger does with it or completely hate it - there really doesn’t seem to be much middle ground. Personally, it didn’t quite work for me. I understood exactly what the film was trying to accomplish with its conclusion, and I can appreciate the ambition behind it, but the execution ultimately left me feeling more conflicted than satisfied. That being said, there is no denying that this is an ending that will 100% spark conversations amongst fans - whether you love it or hate it, you will definitely be walking out of the cinema eager to discuss what you just watched.
Overall, Zack Cregger once again proves why he is becoming such an exciting new voice within the horror genre. With each project, he continues to bring something fresh, distinctive, and unapologetically original to the table, while simultaneously showing noticeable growth in his craft as a filmmaker as well as having a clear creative identity who isn't afraid to take risks. I'm genuinely excited to see what he has in store for us with his next project.
Support our work
You can subscribe to the OBSCURAE newsletter for free, or become a paid Aficionado for £5/month to help fund independent coverage, contributor fees, site hosting, and admin costs.